Attachment for rocking-chairs.



B. BOYLE. ATTACHMENT FbR ROCKING CHAIRS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 16, 19I5-' 7 1 9 1 7H 1 m J d e b H Au t w D1 J. B. BOYLE. ATTACHMENT FOR ROCKING CHMRS.

APPLICATION FILED DE(Z.16, I915- Patenteii July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 JOHN B."BOYLE, 0F GROZET, VIRGINIA.

ATTACHMENT FOR ROCKING-CHAIRS.

Application filed December 16, 1915.

penditure of much less effort than is re quired in the use of the ordinary rocking chair. In the use of the ordinary rocking chair, unless the same is built very low, the feet are out of contact with the floor in the backward rocking movement and considerable energy must be expended in impart ing such movement to the chair. Furthermore, the tendency in rocking backwardly is to eiiertforce in a downward and forward direction upon the floor and this is likely to result in gradual backward walking or creeping of the chair. Furthermore, unless v such pressure is exerted by the feet simultaneously at points equi distantly spaced from the middle ofthe front of the chair, the tendency is to twist the chair to one side or the other. The present invention, therefore, aims to so construct the attachment that the same will constitute afcomfortable foot rest and be so connected with the frame of the chair that rocking motion may be imparted to the chair without removing the feet from the said rest or in any way shifting their position thereon.

Another aim of the invention is to so con struct the foot rest of the attachment that persons of different build may comfortably place their feet upon the said foot rest for the purpose above stated.

The invention further aims to provide the attachment with an auxiliary foot rest which may be adjusted to suit persons of different builds.

Another aim of the invention is to so construct the attachment that the same may be readily applied to any ordinary rocking chair and when applied will not in any way obstruct the front of the chair at the sides thereof so that ladies and invalids may conveniently seat themselves in the chair.

Another aim of the invention is to so connect the attachment with the chair that the 1 attachment when not in use may be folded Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 19ft.

Serial No. 67,220.

with relation to the chair so as not to offer an obstruction. 4

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the present invention connected with an ordinary rocking chair.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the manner in which the device may be folded with relation to the chair when not in use.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical front to rear sectional view through the attachment.

F ig; 4c is a plan view thereof, parts being shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the device.

In order that the attachment embodying the present invention may be connected with the frame of a rocking chair, a rod 1 is fitted through the forward legs of the chair frame, which legs are indicated at 2 and this rod may be provided at one end with a head 3 and at its other end with a nut 4, or may be secured in place in any other suitable manner, the rod extending transversely between the said legs 2 and immediately beneath the forward edge of the seat of the chair indicated by the numeral 5. The device embodying the present invention includes a frame embodying spaced side members which in that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, are provided at their inner ends with collar portions 6 pivotally fitting the rod 1 in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In order to center the members 6 with relation to the ends of the rod 1 and to space the said members or collar portions from the legs 2, spacing sleeves 7 of soft rubber are fitted on to the end portions of the rod and between the said legs and the said collar portions 6. Each of the side members is formed from a suitable length of solid or tubular and preferably resilient metal and each member is curved rearwardly from its these side members, or .more particularly that by giving the side members of the frame of the device the curvature stated,

the portions thereof which extend in advance of the chair, will be located in a plane with or below the rockers 15 of the chair and consequently close to the floor upon which the chair is disposed so that there is nothing to obstruct the space at the opposite sides of the front of the chair and an invalid or a lady will experience no difficulty 7 in seating herself in the chair which, however, would be experienced if thesaid side membersofthe frame were inclined downwardly and forwardly from their points of pivotal connection with the equivalent of the rod 1. In order that the forward end of the frame may be supported for backward and forward movement over the floor surface upon which the rocking chair is disposed, bearings 16 are secured in any suitable manner within the angle formed between the portions; .12 and 13 of each frame member and support the end of a shaft 17 upon which are mounted wheels 18 having ball bear-ing hubs and provided with rubber tires 19, the wheels being located outwardly beyond the forward portions of the side members of the frame, as

clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the draw-' in'gs'. When the bearings 16 are arranged in the manner shown in Fig. 3 and above explained, the side members of the frame will be located relatively close to the floor .surface but should it be desired to have the said members occupy a more elevated position, the said bearings 16 may be secured within; the angle between the portions 13 .0 said stepped portions of the side members of and 14 of the said side members of the frame. 3 In order to afford a foot supporting surface extending between the forward portions of the side members of the frame, a suitable sheet of heavy wire mesh material is stretched and secured in any suitable manner tothe stepped forward portions 10-, 11,12, 13 and 14:, in themanner shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings sothat supportingsurfaces 20, 21 and 22will be provided located at successively greater elevations 7 above the floor surface and so that a forwardly presented surface 23 and downwardly presented surface 24l-ofthe same material will be provided concealing the shaft 17 The foot supporting surfaces above mentioned may be made ofheavy wire mesh material or, if desired, of wicker or,in fact,

any suitable material, whether imperforate or foraminous.

In fact, if desired, a number of slats may be secured attheir ends to the the frame in position extending transversely betweenthe said-members. It will now be apparentthat after one has seated himself in the chair and has'placed his feet upon, the portions '20; 21 or 22, as he may find'most convenient and comfortable, the rocking movement may be accomplished with the exercise of but little exertion and the feet will remain upon the surface upon which they are disposed, the said side members moving backwardly and forwardly upon the wheels 18 as the chair is rocked. By reason of this construction short limbed persons as well as long limbed persons may employ the device with equal convenience and without the necessity of adjusting any part of the device itself. If desired, the portions 21 and 22 may be provided with fender extensions indicated by the numeral designed to protect the clothing of the occupant of the chair from contact with the wheels 1.8.

The side members of the frame of the device may be connected immediately rearwardly of the stepped portions 10 thereof by means of a rigid section 26 of an auxiliary foot rest, the section being secured at its ends by means of bolts or the like indicated at 27, to the said frame members. This auxiliary foot rest also includes a section comprising aboard 28 provided at its forward corners with pivot cars 29 pivotally connected with the frame members immediately rearwardly of the rear edge of the fixed section 26. When the board 28 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings it is supported substantially in a plane with the fixed section 26 of the auxiliary foot rest by reason of the engagement of fingers 30 carried thereby with pins or studs 31 carried by the said side members of the frame. It will be understood, however, that the section 28 of the auxiliary foot rest may be swung upwardly and forwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in the said Fig. 3 and that face there of which isthe upper face in this position of the section is preferably provided with padding or upholstery as indicated at 82.

The provision of the auxiliary foot rest particularly adapts the chair for use by persons of small build and serves also as a surface upon which one may initially tread in seating oneself in the chair. Furthermore, as above pointed out, the side members of the frame are more or lessresilient and, therefore, should a heavy person wish to seat himself in the chair he may do so without fear of overbalancing of the structure inasmuch as-the side members of the frame will sag or yield until the section 26 of the auxiliary foot rest contacts with the floor surface and at such time the entire structure will be held stationary and against slipping. Of course, when the person has seated. himself the frame members will resume their normal position and the section 26 will be moved out of contact with the floor surface. In ,thatform of the invention shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, brackets including spaced pivot ears'33 are secured to the under side of the seat of the chair at the front thereof and pivot bolts 34: are fitted through the said ears of each bracket and through the collar portions 6 of the side members of the frame.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: y

1. A chair attachment of the class described comprising a frame including spaced side members constructed for pivotal connection with the frame of a chair, means supporting the frame for backward and forward movement, a foot rest mounted in the frame, and an auxiliary foot rest mounted within the frame inwardly of the first mentioned foot rest and comprising a fixed section and a section mounted for swinging movement to lie above the fixed section or substantially in a plane therewith and to constitute a continuation thereof in the last mentioned position.

2. A chair attachment of the class described comprising a frame including spaced side members constructed for pivotal connection with the frame of a chair, means supporting the frame for backward and forward movement, a foot rest mounted in the frame, an auxiliary foot rest mounted within the frame inwardly of the first mentioned Copies of this patent may be obtained for foot rest and comprising a fixed section and a section mounted for swinging movement to lie above the fixed section or substantially in a plane therewith and to constitute a continuation thereof in the last mentioned position, supporting elements carried by the said side members of the frame, and means upon the swinging section of the foot rest engageable with the said supporting elements to support the said section of the foot rest in the last mentioned position.

3. A chair attachment of the class de scribed comprising a frame constructed at its rear end for pivotal connection with a chair and having its forward portion extended upwardly and its forward extremity carried downwardly and then rearwardly, a covering secured upon the forward portion of the frame and constituting a foot rest and extending'over the downturned and rearwardly extending forward extremity of the frame, an axle supported at the forward extremity of the frame between the upper and lower portions of the same, and wheels carried by said axle to support the frame for forward and backward movement.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

JOHN B. BOYLE.

five'cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

